Thematic candle card set

ABSTRACT

A Thematic Candle Card Set is used for celebrating holidays and occasions by including candle lighting as a main event. The components of the set are combined into a given number of novelty greeting cards that feature candle rolling and provide a gift for the user while simultaneously providing a gift for the receiver. The properties of the components such as their quantity and colors correspond to each other and more importantly correspond to a specific part of the holiday or occasion. The invention is suitable for use in places such as homes, offices, and classrooms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the following field: handcrafted greeting cards, innovative gift packages, thematic card kits, and the like for holidays and occasions.

[0002] Dominating a major sector of the gift industry, the greeting card market grows consistently and greeting cards have ranked among the industry's top products for several years. Greeting card manufactures and vendors perpetually incorporate innovative ideas on size, medium, theme, production, and presentation into their new product lines to give them advantages over the competition. Over the years, greeting card styles have transformed from single-folded paper to more elaborate forms of multi-folded cards displaying materials such as metal, plastic, and fabric. These type of novelty cards in addition to handcrafted cards that exhibit attachments like candy and jewelry have managed to penetrate the inventory of drugstores as well as high-end gift shops.

[0003] With the increased popularity and desirability for novel and handcrafted greeting cards, many people are willing to spend more on paper items in place of a gift. The more elaborate and decorative a greeting card, the more gift-like it is perceived, and thus can stand independently as a gift.

[0004] The possibilities of transforming greeting cards into gifts are endless. Some greeting cards can be framed; some cards bring about activities like puzzle solving (U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,088 Leondidis); others can be hung in windows as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,957, Barreca, et al., the card invention with a “stained-glass effect.” Depending on the functionality of a card, the user's motivation to utilize its features can be increased thereby inducing a reason to retain the greeting card as a gift instead of disposing it as paper.

[0005] There is a need for packages of gift-like greeting cards; packages that are more desirable than their individual cards. Similar to stationery sets the packages would consist of series of themed cards, but unlike stationery sets, gift card packages would be perceived as having greater novelty and the user's motivation to utilize the packaged cards would be multiplied. One known packaged card set is U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,770, Galm. In this 1996 invention the user receives several gift-like cards that can be utilized for sharing recipes or various information.

[0006] In the present invention, Thematic Candle Card Set, the user receives a series of gift-like cards that features candle lighting.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is a packaged gift set comprising of 1) greeting cards, 2) envelopes, 3) candle wax strips or ready-made candles, 4) wick, 5) candle holder, and 6) candle rolling instructions, when required. As the present invention correlates to actual holidays and occasions, the quantity and colors of the packaged components will change from theme to theme. Depending on the occasion, the quantity of greeting cards and likewise the quantity of candle wax strips (or candles) correspond directly to specifics. Specifics could be: the duration of the occasion, a number of accomplishments, miles, goals, or births for example. Undoubtedly, the colors of the candle wax strips (or candles) also correspond directly to specifics that are designated for the occasion. In the example of births, pink wax may correspond to the number of female births; blue wax to male births. The object of the invention, among others, is to provide a gift for the user while simultaneously providing a gift for the receiver. While the candle lighting feature is utilized, the user shares information about the holiday or occasion by sending a greeting card to a receiver.

[0008] To illustrate further, a Thematic Candle Card Set that is packaged for the holiday Kwanzaa would require components in quantities of seven because Kwanzaa has seven principles. Thus, the set would be comprised of a series of seven greeting cards addressing the theme of Kwanzaa, seven envelopes, and seven candle wax strips (or ready-made candles). The colors of the wax strips would be as follows: three in red, one in black, and three in green (the designated holiday colors). Undoubtedly, included in the set would be: seven braids of wick, candle rolling instructions (included only with wax strips), and one kinara (a Kwanzaa candleholder). Accordingly, when prepared by the user, this thematic set may be displayed alongside traditional Kwanzaa paraphernalia in order to enhance the features of the set and as each principle of Kwanzaa is discussed, the greeting cards can be sent to others.

[0009] The advantages of the present invention are that: it personalizes ceremonious occasions and strengthens ordinary ones by including candle lighting as a main event; it eliminates the need to purchase greeting cards separately from candles and likewise candles from candleholders; it supplies a demand for more innovative merchandise for both adults and children; it is suitable for using in places such as homes, offices, and classrooms, and when used in classrooms where children learn of the holiday or occasion the present invention becomes a creative tool that is conducive to childhood education.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a plan view of the present invention in its packaged state.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of a greeting card paired with candle wax laying flat.

[0012]FIG. 2A is a partially exploded perspective view of a greeting card paired with candle wax wrapped around.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the components of FIG. 1 less the exterior packaging.

[0014] It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale. They present a simplified representation of various preferred features of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0015] Within the Thematic Candle Card Set are the following components: greeting cards, envelopes, candle wax strips or ready-made candles, wick, candle rolling instructions (when required), and a candle holder. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and it should be understood that while the invention is described in detail herein, the invention can be embodied otherwise without departing from the principles thereof, and such other embodiments are meant to come within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Here, and in the following claims:

[0016] “Greeting card” means a folding card or a planar or sheet-like device which is made solely or partially from paper stock, plastic, metal, or fabric (but is not limited to any particular material) and which has any outline shape and may bear indicia such as text, images, or decorative attachments. It may be scored, folded in various ways, or un-creased and non-folded.

[0017] “Wick” refers to any flammable bundle of fibers made of wire, cord, tape, tube, cloth or other medium.

[0018] “Candle wax strip” means any substance that must be rolled around (or combined with) a wick and when lit, it bums and gives off light for a period of time.

[0019] “Ready-made candle” refers to any tapered, molded, or contained device that bums when lit and gives off light for period of time.

[0020] “Candle Card” refers to any greeting card and envelope that are paired with candle wax and wick (or a ready-made candle) in order to stand unified as a gift-like greeting card.

[0021] “Candleholder” includes any sized and shaped device with indications or holes whereby a number of candles can rest.

[0022]FIG. 1 is a plan view of the present invention in a package 10. It is embodied by combining a series of greeting cards 12 with envelopes 14, candle wax strips 16 or ready-made candles, braids of wick 18, candle rolling instructions 20, and a candleholder 22.

[0023] Each greeting card 12 represents a specific part of a holiday or occasion and it is preferred that each card depict the holiday or occasion either with images, text, or decorative attachments on its cover 24.

[0024] It is preferred that the candle wax strips 16 used for the invention are made of either beeswax or paraffin wax or a combination of the two because these are commonly used waxes. The colors of the wax strips 16 are the same as the colors designated for the holiday or occasion. Furthermore, the number of candle wax strips 16 directly corresponds to the number of greeting cards 12 so that when paired, the thematic set produces several gift-like cards for which the user can utilize or send to others.

[0025] When determining the size to cut the candle wax strips 16, two factors are taken into consideration. First, if the wax strips 16 are cut from a standard candle wax sheet of 8.5″×16″, their measurements are decided prior to cutting. Although, the wax strips 16 can be cut varisized, it is aesthetically pleasing if the strips 16 have either the same measurements as the greeting cards 12 or twice their dimensions. Thus, in the former case, a candle wax strip 16 lays flat against either the cover of the card 12, inside the card 12, or against the back as indicated in FIG. 2; or in the latter case, as shown in FIG. 2A, the wax 16 folds around the greeting card 12. Measurements in both cases allow the user to insert the wax strip into the envelope 14 along with the greeting card 12. Second, if the diameters of the holes 26 in the candleholder 22 fit candles of a particular size, the measurements of the candle wax strips 16 are increased or decreased accordingly. It is advisable to cut wax strips 16 slightly larger than necessary; the user can trim excess wax. (In the instance where wax strips 16 and wick 18 are unavailable or the use of them is futile, ready-made candles can be substitutes. Their color and quantity properties are the same as for candle wax strips 16. However, unlike wax strips 16 that can vary in size, it is important that the size of ready-made candles are directly proportional to the diameter of the holes 26 whereby they fit into the candleholder 22.)

[0026] When choosing a wick 18 for the present invention, it is preferred that common cotton wicks like flat-braided or square-braided be used. Flat-braided wicks are used for paraffin wax and their number of plies determines their thickness. A paraffin wax strip that rolls into a candle less than 2″ in diameter requires an 18-ply flat-braided wick; a strip that rolls into a candle between 2″-4″ in diameter requires a larger flat-braided wick of 24-ply or 30-ply. Square-braided wicks are used for beeswax. Due to the high viscosity (stickiness) of beeswax, it requires a thicker wick in order to burn properly. Therefore, a beeswax strip that rolls into a candle less than 2″ in diameter requires a small square-braided wick; a strip that rolls into a candle 2″-4″ in diameter requires a medium square-braided wick. For every 2-inch diameter increase that a candle wax strip 16 rolls, a larger flat-braided or square-braided wick 18 should be used.

[0027] To determine the amount of wick 18 that goes into a package 10 for a particular theme, braids of wick 18 are cut ½″ longer than the height of each candle wax strip 16. For example, given a theme requiring 5 candles whereby the height of each candle wax strip 16 is 8″, each braid of wick 18 is cut 8.5″ long, or a total of 42.5″ of wick 18 is included in the themed package 10. FIG. 3 shows a partially exploded perspective view of all the components of this example theme.

[0028] Candle rolling instructions 20 are included in every themed package 10 that includes candle wax strips 16 and wick 18. It is preferred that step-by-step directions to rolling candles are given as well as appropriate child safety and fire hazard warnings.

[0029] The candleholder 22 is preferably a durable item that can be used repeatedly, if necessary, and is able to withstand the weight of all the candles required for the occasion. It must be able to stand on its own base without any support, thus it can be displayed in places such as homes, offices, and classrooms.

[0030] While the preferred characteristics and preferred materials of the Thematic Candle Card Set may be described with respect to particular holidays and occasions, it should be understood that the present invention is not intended to be limited to these few. The means and materials for carrying out various activities and functions of the invention may take a variety of alternative forms without departing from the invention itself. For example, properties of the colors, quantity, size, and theme of the embodiment can be modified to fit the requirements of various other holidays and occasions. By applying current knowledge and experimentation, any person can modify and/or adapt the preferred characteristics of the embodiment without deviating from the general concept. Therefore, such modifications and adaptations should be considered inclusive to the characteristics of the present invention. 

What I claim is my invention:
 1. A Thematic Candle Card Set used for celebrating holidays and occasions and comprising of a series of greeting cards and envelopes, candle wax strips or ready-made candles, braids of wick, candle rolling instructions, and a candleholder.
 2. A Thematic Candle Card Set of claim 1 wherein the components can be combined into a given number of gift-like greeting cards for a particular holiday or occasion.
 3. A Thematic Candle Card Set of claim 1 wherein the properties of the greeting cards correlate to a particular holiday or occasion.
 4. A Thematic Candle Card Set of claim 3 wherein the quantity of greeting cards correlate to a specific part of the holiday or occasion.
 5. A Thematic Candle Card Set of claim 3 wherein the greeting cards address the holiday or occasion with text, images, or decorative attachments.
 6. A Thematic Candle Card Set of claim 1 wherein the properties of candle wax strips or readymade candles correlate to a particular holiday or occasion.
 7. A Thematic Candle Card Set of claim 6 wherein the quantity of candle wax strips or readymade candles correlate to a specific part of the holiday or occasion.
 8. A Thematic Candle Card Set of claim 6 wherein the colors of the candle wax strips or readymade candles are identical to the colors designated for the holiday or occasion.
 9. A Thematic Candle Card Set of claim 6 wherein the candle wax strips and ready-made candles are interchangeable one for one.
 10. A Thematic Candle Card Set of claim 1 wherein the quantity of braids of wick is directly proportional to the quantity of candle wax strips.
 11. A Thematic Candle Card Set of claim 10 wherein each braid of wick is rolled into a candle wax strip in order to produce candles.
 12. A Thematic Candle Card Set of claim 1 wherein all candles, produced or ready-made, fit into the candleholder. 